Breathtaking film with a powerful message for Scottish bikers: ‘Take your time to take it all in’

Bikers from Evolution Women’s Motorcycle Club rolled out the red carpet and declared ‘Action!’ on the latest film from motorcycle safety campaign Live Fast Die Old, by The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland.

Part of the campaign’s Breathtaking Roads series, the stunning new film highlights the thrill of riding while also reminding motorcyclists to enjoy Scotland’s roads safely.

Shot on the scenic Isle of Skye, the short film uses striking slo-mo footage to highlight the importance of considering the entire picture and every potential hazard before making the decision to overtake. It urges motorcyclists exploring Scotland’s roads to ‘take your time to take it all in’.

Despite accounting for less than 1% of all road traffic in Scotland motorcyclists are over represented in reported casualties. In 2020, there were 418 reported motorcyclist casualties on Scotland’s roads. Of these, 16 were fatalities (17% of all road deaths) and 242 resulted in serious injury.1

Loss of control is the most commonly reported contributory factor for motorcyclists, involved in 19% of all accidents. Bends and overtaking continue to be among the riskiest manoeuvres, with bends being a factor in 22% of all reported injury accidents, and overtaking in 10%.

Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth, said: “We’re seeing lots of bikers on the roads with many taking advantage of the longer days and enjoying the incredible scenery Scotland has to offer.

“The Live Fast Die Old campaign celebrates biking, but we know motorcyclists face significant risks on our roads and we want to ensure they practise safe riding habits – especially when overtaking and going round bends which can be particularly risky manoeuvres.

“I’d urge any motorcyclists exploring Scotland’s breathtaking roads this season to take their time, adjust their speed and consider their surroundings before overtaking. Enjoy the ride – but get home in one piece.”

The new film coincides with Police Scotland’s motorcycle safety campaign.

Fellow biker and deputy head of road policing, Superintendent Stewart Mackie, said: “We speak to bikers and other road users all year round but as the better weather arrives, there is a real focus on motorbike safety and educating all drivers.

“Motorcyclists are more vulnerable than other road users. My plea to other riders is a straightforward one – get home safe.

“I have bitter experience of attending fatal collisions over the years and we must all be cautious on bends, especially left hand bends and think twice before every single overtake.

“I understand the pleasure of being on a bike and exploring Scotland but there’s nothing more important than returning home to your loved ones safe and well.”

Previous films in the Breathtaking Roads series were popular with Scotland’s biking community and showcased stunning routes in coastal, forest and mountain regions of Scotland, while focusing on key manoeuvres such as overtaking, cornering and riding as a group.

Scottish biker Jayne Tollan, Chairwoman of Evolution Women’s Motorcycle Club, said: “We’re really excited to support the launch of the new Live Fast Die Old film and get behind its main message.

“As bikers we can be vulnerable on the road, especially when we’re overtaking, so it’s important we remember to take our time and take in everything that’s happening around us before making the move.

“We all love riding in Scotland – so let’s do it safely.”

The campaign will run across social media and digital channels, with posters displayed at key locations targeting motorcyclists across Scotland, including dealers, petrol stations, garages and cafes along Scotland’s most popular biker routes.

The dedicated Live Fast Die Old website and Facebook page offer rich and engaging content for motorcyclists, with films and blogs from Scottish bikers sharing their first-hand experience and tips with peers, as well as route inspiration and best practice advice.

The Live Fast Die Old campaign is looking for bikers across Scotland to get involved by sharing their experience, advice, top routes and ride-out tips with other bikers. If you’d like to be part of the campaign, follow Live Fast Die Old on Facebook or get in touch at roadsafety@smarts.agency.

To watch the latest Breathtaking Roads film and join the conversation, visit the Live Fast Die Old website (livefastdieold.scot) / or Facebook page facebook.com/livefastdieoldscotland.

Stolen motorbikes: Police appeal for information

Police Scotland is appealing for information after two motorbikes were stolen from Houston Industrial Estate in Livingston.

The bikes were stolen during break-ins to business units in Muir Place between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday, 30 December, 2020.

Detective Constable Sam Plastow of Livingston CID said : “Two KTM 450 SX-F motorbikes were stolen worth a five figure sum. One motorbike is orange and grey with the lettering ‘LAURIS’ on the front and side. The second motorbike is orange with ‘METAL MULISHA’ and ‘ROCKSTAR ENERGY’ stickers on the front and side.

“It is believed that a white van may have been used to carry one of the motorbikes away from the business units and the other being pushed away.  

“Enquiries into this incident are currently ongoing. However, if anyone was in the area around the time of this incident and saw anything that may assist this investigation we are keen for them to get in contact as soon as possible.

“I would also urge anyone who has seen motorbikes matching the description or has noticed them being advertised for sale, or has any information about the location of the bikes to make us aware.

“Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 quoting incident 2772 of Wednesday, 30 December 2020, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Mummy’s Boy: Driving home the message about motorcycle crime

‘Mummy’s Boy’ was premiered at the Scottish Storytelling Centre on the High Street in Edinburgh on Thursday.

The short film is a collaboration between several organisations including Creative Scotland, Transport Scotland, Screen Education Edinburgh, Police Scotland Edinburgh Division and students from Broughton, Holyrood and Drummond High Schools.

The students played a very active part in making the film which delivers a message to young people about the potential consequences of becoming involved in crime.

PC Greig Stephen hosted the event and there were speeches from Superintendent Richard Thomas, Sean Young from Screen Education Edinburgh and Louise Lothian who lost her 14-year-old nephew Brad Williamson in June 2016 after a motorbike he was riding was involved in a collision.

Louise gave a first-hand account of the impact of losing a loved one in tragic circumstances and at such a young age.
Superintendent Thomas said: “Tackling all forms of motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour across Edinburgh remains one of our top priorities and through Operation Soteria, we continue to conduct enforcement activity.
“We are working in partnership with City of Edinburgh Council deploying officers on off road motorcycles, and have pioneered new methods of crime detection, such as the use of DNA tagging spray to identify those involved in these offences and bring them to justice.

“We have also worked hard with third sector organisation Aid & Abet and with people personally affected by the tragic consequences of recent incidents to impress on young people the real dangers of dangerous motor cycle riding.

“We know from experience that prevention is better than cure and this very impactful film provides a hard-hitting insight into the impact and devastation that can be caused if you are involved in the theft or criminal use of a motorcycle.

“Mummy’s Boy may be a short-film, but its message is very poignant and clear and I wish to thank all of the young people involved, as well as Sean Young from Screen Education Edinburgh, for their dedication and hard work in pulling this altogether.

“The production will be of great use to not only officers in Edinburgh, but across the country, where motorcycle crime is an area of concern for local communities.”

The students were all involved in the production of the film both in front of, and behind, the camera. They hope to reach out to other young people to think twice before making a decision which could have fatal consequences.

Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith said: “I have long been a supporter of the creative and collaborative approach taken by Police Scotland to address motorcycle related anti-social behaviour in the north of the city.

“By working with the local youth organisations and seeking to positively engage with the young people, we have seen significant results – not just in the crime statistics but, even more importantly, in a shift in attitudes to this kind of reckless behaviour from the young people themselves.

“‘Mummy’s Boy’ is a wonderful example of this approach and will leave an educational legacy which will help other communities all over Scotland follow the example of the young people in my constituency.”

Please take 5 minutes to watch ‘Mummy’s Boy’ on Vimeo: 

Youth charged with motorcyle offences

A 15-year-old youth has been charged in connection with motorcycle disorder that occurred across Edinburgh on Saturday (January 13). The male was charged following reports of a series of incidents involving off-road motorcycles which occurred across Drylaw, Portobello, Leith, City Centre, Dalkeith Road and Craigmillar.

A report will be sent to the Children’s Reporter.  A 24-year-old man has also been reported for warrant to the Procurator Fiscal in connection with this activity. Continue reading Youth charged with motorcyle offences

Better Late … drama performances this week

In light of ongoing issues of motorcycle crime and anti-social behaviour, amongst other things, please don’t forget about two free Theatre shows coming up next week – BETTER LATE THAN DEAD–Broughton High School on Tuesday 28th March, 7pm, and  North Edinburgh Arts Centre on Wednesday 29th March, 4pm.

These tackle the issues of driving, walking and road safety and are open to all ages.

Witness appeal following Muirhouse hit and run

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for witnesses following a hit and run collision in Muirhouse. The incident happened at around 10:10pm on Thursday (December 29th) on Muirhouse Green at its junction with Ferry Road. Continue reading Witness appeal following Muirhouse hit and run

Joyriders: Edinburgh MSPs back community call for tougher deterrents

ASB

City MSPs have written to the Cabinet Secretary for Justice and the Lord Advocate to push for stronger action against motorcycle crime and associated antisocial behaviour. Holyrood politicians, including local MSPs Ben Macpherson and Alex Cole-Hamilton say that, although action to tackle this behaviour is ongoing, local residents feel more must be done to deter joyriders and make the community safer. Continue reading Joyriders: Edinburgh MSPs back community call for tougher deterrents

Six arrests and one jailed in motorbike clampdown

Police at shops Drylaw

Six men  have been charged as part of a police crackdown on motorbike theft and anti-social behaviour in North Edinburgh. Four bikes were recovered during police operations on Wednesday and Thursday. Continue reading Six arrests and one jailed in motorbike clampdown